Make your call for Sunday night

[Oviedo]

Ok, another tough opponent. I have the same apprehension about this game as I did before the Saints game. You have a top QB coming off a very bad game against Cleveland. I also have the same apprehension that our pass defense doesn't know how to stop an offense once they give up on the run and go max protect and commit to the short to mid-range passing game of which Brady is a master.

My inctincts say Pats 31-27 but the fan and eternal optimist in me wants to say Steelers 30-23 with the home crowd being the difference.

I'll go with Steelers 30-23. Hopefully the defense (and Jeff Reed) does not let me down.

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

I'm sure I will get more nervous about this game the closer we get, but unless the Pats open up their offense and try to stretch the field against us, I can't see them winning this game. In the past, we have been forced to allow them to get some decent runs and underneath passes because they had their share of downfield threats we had to protect against. That isn't the case anymore, at least it hasn't been over the past few games. I can see the Steelers opening up a lead against the Pats and holding on for a, say, 28-17 win.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

I say it goes down similar to our last PlanetSteelers tailgate primetime game against the Chargers last year (which we ultimately won 38-2. In that game, we went up 28-0 in the first half with our most impressive showing of the season against a quality opponent, and then allowed them to come within one score with four-and-a-half minutes to go, just to grate on our collective nerves once again.

[AngryAsian]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

I say it goes down similar to our last PlanetSteelers tailgate primetime game against the Chargers last year (which we ultimately won 38-2. In that game, we went up 28-0 in the first half with our most impressive showing of the season against a quality opponent, and then allowed them to come within one score with four-and-a-half minutes to go, just to grate on our collective nerves once again.

I've had the same vibe all week. I think that this game will not be close and we put a clamp on their high octane offense. We'll be 7-2 post this week and if the Browns can put a magic whammy against the Jets, we'll own the conference.

[Steelgal]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

I've been reading on the Pats forums this week and they are genuinely nervous about this game. First time they've been nervous about playing us in years, it seems. I haven't watched the Pats yet, but they said their D isn't generating enough pressure on the quarterback and fears Ben will tear them apart. Also a loss of Moss is huge for them, even if some don't want to admit it.

I feel better about this game, than I did the Saints only because it's at Heinz. I think it will be a close game.

My prediction:

Steelers - 27

Pats - 24

[AngryAsian]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

I've been watching a lot of Pats* games this season. Their defense is suspect because their LB, CB and Safety tiers are EXTREMELY young. Besides Meriweather, Ninkovich and Mayo, everybody else playing LB, CB or safety is either in their second year or a rookie. I think if BA comes up with a very imaginative scheme, they can exploit this D. But don't be fooled by their youth. The Miami game on Monday night several weeks back showed their explosive takeaway powers.

The thing that worries me most is getting to Woodhead and Welker. They run a lot of screens and 5 yard dumps to these two. If we find a way to shut these two down, we take Brady's favorite targets away. Brandon Tate has basically taken over Moss' routes and I'm confident, Troy and Clark will nullify the deep threat. My main hope in this game is penetration and keeping Brady on his back.... I notice once he's rattled his composure isn't as elite as his admirers say it is under pressure.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

I will refuse to get excited when we go up 14-0 in the 1st quarter. Then my head won't explode AGAIN when they pull to within 4 points and are driving with 2 timeouts and 2:07 on the clock.

30-24 Steelers. Woodley gets a strip/sack/fumble and Harrison recovers on our 3 yard line.

Woooooooooooooo!

[ROLROC]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

We win by 10+.

As long as we pass to set up the run on O. We need to apply plenty of pressure on D. Play a lot of nickel on D with Ziggy at nose- use Worilds as a speed rusher with Woodley and Harrison in as well. BGE/Pats running will do nothing.

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

We run 55-60% in the 1st half and we run 65-70% in the second half. We have a 13 point lead going into the fourth and give up the lead with 1:45 remaining. Reed makes a 38 yd FG to end the game.

Pats-28
Pitt- 30

[Oviedo]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

We run 55-60% in the 1st half and we run 65-70% in the second half. We have a 13 point lead going into the fourth and give up the lead with 1:45 remaining. Reed makes a 38 yd FG to end the game.

Pats-28
Pitt- 30

Not saying it is the best policy but that is definitely putting yourself on the record

You have more faith in Reed than I do right now.

[AkronSteel]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

Steelers win by double digits in this one!!! Our Strengths are their weaknesses!!! They struggle to rush the passer, they struggle to stop the run and their 3rd down defense stinks (last in the league). Ben is the highest rated QB on 3rd down in the league! They do not have a WR to stretch the field which will allow the D to sit on routes. Welker has done nothing since Moss left!! I just see Mendy having a big day, Ben making plays on 3rd down and the D getting to Brady often!!

Steelers 31
Patriots 13

[Oviedo]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

Steelers win by double digits in this one!!! Our Strengths are their weaknesses!!! They struggle to rush the passer, they struggle to stop the run and their 3rd down defense stinks (last in the league). Ben is the highest rated QB on 3rd down in the league! They do not have a WR to stretch the field which will allow the D to sit on routes. Welker has done nothing since Moss left!! I just see Mendy having a big day, Ben making plays on 3rd down and the D getting to Brady often!!

Steelers 31
Patriots 13

You're starting to convince me, keep it going!!!!!

[NW Steeler]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

Steelers win by double digits in this one!!! Our Strengths are their weaknesses!!! They struggle to rush the passer, they struggle to stop the run and their 3rd down defense stinks (last in the league). Ben is the highest rated QB on 3rd down in the league! They do not have a WR to stretch the field which will allow the D to sit on routes. Welker has done nothing since Moss left!! I just see Mendy having a big day, Ben making plays on 3rd down and the D getting to Brady often!!

Steelers 31
Patriots 13

You're starting to convince me, keep it going!!!!!

I like it too! What a better way to end the week and start the new one with a thorough ass-kicking of the Patsies? Yea-YEAH!!

[SteelAbility]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

This one will be close ... I think. They are built to be more effective against our D than most other teams. Their D obviously has problems and they are a very different personality on the road than at home. If we lose it will be because of ineffectiveness getting TDs in the RZ. Nontheless, I'll go with Steelers 21-17.

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Make your call for Sunday night

We run 55-60% in the 1st half and we run 65-70% in the second half. We have a 13 point lead going into the fourth and give up the lead with 1:45 remaining. Reed makes a 38 yd FG to end the game.

Pats-28
Pitt- 30

Not saying it is the best policy but that is definitely putting yourself on the record

You have more faith in Reed than I do right now.

Faith wouldn't be he word I'd use, more like rebound. He rebounds after a poor showing, which are coming a lot more often these days.